HB 5500 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

To make allowances for bio-degradable farm/field products to escape the transport vehicle so to avoid potential fines

HB 5500 exempts open-top farm vehicles transporting hay, straw, silage, and other natural farm products between farms from penalties for load escape. It specifically applies to vehicles carrying loose, bio-degradable materials that pose no environmental hazard (like fall foliage), but excludes fully loaded vehicles with large bales that could cause injury if dislodged. The bill requires farmers to obtain special permits for these vehicles and limits their speed to 45 mph when hauling materials prone to blowing away. This change directly affects farmers using open-top transport for agricultural products, removing fines for incidental escape while maintaining safety standards.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Last action Feb 13, 2026
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Total actions
4
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0
Committee
2
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
To Government Organization
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

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